As the moon bathed the kingdom in silver light, Melinoe entered Havvaris's bedroom, her steps hesitant. She looked around, expecting to see him preparing for bed, but he was nowhere in sight. Confused, she turned to Nyxpanther, who stood by the door, his sharp eyes watching her every move.
"He's staying in another room tonight," Nyxpanther said, his voice calm.
Melinoe blinked. "But this is his room?"
As soon as the words left her lips, realization dawned upon her. Havvaris was giving her and Nyxpanther time alone together. A soft smile touched her lips at his thoughtfulness. Before she could dwell on it, Nyxpanther approached, his arms wrapping around her from behind, his hands resting gently over her belly. His warmth seeped into her, and for the first time in days, she felt completely safe.
"You should rest," he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to the side of her head.
She leaned into him, closing her eyes. "Stay with me."
"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else."
Nestled in his arms, she drifted into slumber, the slow rise and fall of his breathing lulling her into a peaceful dreamless sleep.
The silence of the night was shattered by the soft hiss of a blade slicing through the air. Nyxpanther's ears twitched, his instincts flaring to life. His eyes snapped open just as shadows moved in the darkness, creeping toward them like death incarnate.
"Melinoe, wake up," he whispered urgently, gently shaking her.
Still groggy, she stirred, but before she could fully comprehend what was happening, Nyxpanther rolled them off the bed just as a blade plunged into the pillow where her head had rested moments ago.
Assassins.
Adrenaline surged through her veins as Nyxpanther sprang to his feet, his black leopard instincts fully awakened. He moved with lethal grace, slashing through the intruders with a deadly precision that left no room for mercy. Melinoe scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering against her ribs. She wasn't defenseless—she had learned self-defense back on Earth. Grabbing a dagger from the bedside table, she prepared to fight.
Despite their combined efforts, the assassins kept coming. They were outnumbered, and one of them managed to slip past Nyxpanther's defenses, heading straight for Melinoe. Her body reacted on instinct, dodging the blade aimed at her throat, but she knew she wouldn't be able to escape the second strike in time.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Blood splattered as the assassin's body slumped forward, a blade protruding from his chest. Behind him stood Havvaris, his eyes burning with fury.
"You're late," Nyxpanther growled, blocking another strike.
Havvaris scoffed, retrieving his blade. "You're welcome."
With renewed strength, the three of them fought off the last of the assassins. As the final body hit the floor, silence once again blanketed the room. Melinoe collapsed onto her knees, her hands trembling. She had fought, she had survived, but the reality of how close she had come to death weighed heavily on her.
Nyxpanther knelt beside her, pulling her into his arms. "It's over," he whispered.
Havvaris placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're safe now."
Melinoe nodded, though the fear still lingered. They all knew this attack hadn't been random. There were only two men in the Empire who would dare send assassins after her—Count Blackthorne and Viscount Ironfang.
The following morning, the three of them prepared for their journey back to the Empire of Nyxaris. Nyxpanther was determined to report their findings about the illegal slave merchants to the Emperor and Empress.
"I'm coming with you," Havvaris declared firmly as they readied the horses.
Nyxpanther frowned. "There's no need. I can protect her."
Havvaris stepped closer, his jaw tightening. "You alone weren't enough last night."
Tension crackled between them, but before Nyxpanther could respond, Melinoe intervened. "Both of you, enough. We all go together."
Reluctantly, Nyxpanther conceded.
The journey was long, yet surprisingly uneventful. No assassins, no ambushes—only the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road. It felt… too quiet.
Nyxpanther remained on high alert, his gaze constantly scanning their surroundings. He didn't trust this calm; it was the kind that came before a storm.
When they arrived at the imperial palace, Nyxpanther wasted no time in seeking an audience with the Emperor and Empress, while Havvaris stayed behind to watch over Melinoe.
The moment the doors closed behind Nyxpanther, Havvaris turned to Melinoe, his expression unreadable. "Are you alright?"
Melinoe exhaled. "I don't know."
She was exhausted, and overwhelmed, and yet… deep down, an unshakable feeling warned her that greater challenges lay ahead.